Page 70 of Rebels and Roses

The small but talented fingers stroked him up and down while his own hands cupped her breasts, plucking at the pebbled nipples until she gasped and pressed back against him. She sagged against him as he lavished attention on her neck and shoulders, his fingers sliding down to the cleft between her thighs.

Water splashed over the edge of the bathtub as she writhed under his ministrations, breathlessly urging him on. His own arousal ratcheted up with every moan and sigh. There was nothing in the world as sexy as hearing his name on her lips.

He knew she was close, so he was surprised when she twisted around to straddle him, her lush breasts pressed to his chest.

“Cooper,” she whispered, brushing her lips against his. “Cooper.”

He didn’t need any more encouragement. Positioning her above him, she settled onto him, her body as ready as he was. This wasn’t their first time together. They already knew the rhythm that would send them over. He knew where to touch and kiss, the sensitive spots that would send her spiraling higher and higher.

She did as well, and it didn’t take long before they were teetering on the edge of that cliff. Her hands were anchored to his shoulders, her head thrown back as she moved, swiveling her hips with every delicious thrust.

The pressure had built in his lower back, and he was losing the battle to hold back for much longer. Desperate for her to reach her climax, he reached between them, finding that delicate spot that would send her over.

When she called his name, he fell along with her. Her channel had clamped down on him, her body shuddering with each wave of pleasure. He groaned out loud as his own release hit him hard, sending him sideways and the room whirling around him.

They clung together, surrendering to the pleasure as each wave shook them to their very core. When it was over, they clung together. Cooper rested back on the edge of the tub while Jane’s head was on his shoulder. They didn’t speak or move until the water began to cool. He reached down to caress her cheek, his fingers rough against the softness of her skin.

“The water is cold. I think we have to move.”

“How far?” she asked sleepily. “To the bed or out to dinner? I don’t think I have the energy to get dressed again.”

“This hotel has great room service.”

“That sounds perfect.”

It was only perfect because Jane was there.

He should be shaking in his boots, wanting to run away from any sort of commitment. Yet here he was.

Falling in love. And damn happy about it.

18

The next morning, Jane and Cooper made their way to Tom’s girlfriend’s apartment. Cassie lived on the second floor of a lovely brick building located on a sunny, tree-lined street. When they knocked, a dog barked a greeting, and the woman opened the door.

She looked young, probably in her early twenties. Petite, with light brown hair and clear blue eyes, Cassie was quite pretty, although she’d clearly been crying before they’d arrived. She picked up her tiny Yorkie dog and welcomed them into her home.

When Cooper had called Cassie the day before to ask if they could speak with her, he’d had the unenviable job of giving her the sad news of Tom’s death. Since her relationship had been a secret from the main people in Tom’s life, no one had known to inform her.

“I’m sorry everything is sort of a mess,” Cassie apologized, placing the dog onto a floral fabric ottoman. “Since getting the news, I haven’t felt like doing much of anything.”

Jane’s keen gaze went straight to the boxes stacked in a small area between the kitchen and living room, then to Cassie’s mid-section. Sure enough, the woman was wearing a loose, billowy empire-waist top. The boxes were printed with the logo of a popular brand of diapers.

She’s pregnant.

She turned to see if Cooper had noticed, but he was looking at the framed photos on the fireplace mantle. There were pictures of Tom and Cassie together, smiling as if they didn’t have a care in the world.

“It’s fine,” Jane assured her. “Under the circumstances, we completely understand. This must be so hard for you, especially at a time like this when you need the support of loved ones.”

Cooper gave her a strange look, but she didn’t meet his gaze. He’d figure it out eventually. He wasn’t dumb.

Cassie placed her hand on her abdomen, her eyes glistening with tears.

“We had so many hopes and dreams. Tom was so excited about being a dad. It’s all he talked about. I keep expecting him to walk through the door and tell me it was all just a bad joke.”

“How far along are you?” Cooper asked.

Good, he’s got it.

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